Astrophotographer John Chumack sent in this image of Comet Neat which he took last night. He used a Canon 10D digital SLR and 4″ F8 refractor telescope, ISO 400, 9 minute exposure. If you want to see the comet for yourself, just head outside and look to the West. It’s a fuzzy blur that you can just make out with the unaided eye, even in the city. You can make it out much better with a pair of binoculars. Skymaps.com has conveniently put positions of Comet’s NEAT and LINEAR for the month of May in its current sky chart, so head there and grab a free map to help you orient yourself. Get some friends and make an evening of it.
Good luck!
Fraser Cain
Publisher
Universe Today